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Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Truffle Fries

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This Homemade Air fryer Garlic Parmesan Truffle Fries recipe requires minimal effort, tastes amazing and is so easy to make! These fresh, healthy and crispy seasoned air fried French fries are the best for dinner, lunch or a delicious snack!

garlic parmesan truffle fries on a plate

What potatoes make the best French fries

Potatoes come in many varieties, the best type of potato to use for French fries are starchy potatoes. Starchy potatoes are low in water and high in starch which makes them perfect for making crispy French fries or chips.

For my air fryer garlic parmesan truffle fries recipe I used baking potatoes. I prefer to use baking potatoes when making homemade French fries. As I am based in the UK baking potatoes are usually the King Edward variety. Maris piper potatoes are also used for making fries / chips as they have a great natural flavour, although I do find they tend to brown a lot faster whilst air frying compared to other baking potatoes.

cooked air fryer french fries

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Are russet potatoes good for French fries

Russet potatoes are a great potato variety for making air fryer French fries and chips. They also have a high starch content which is perfect for making fries. The long shape also helps to make amazing long French fries when making homemade chips.

two potatoes on a plate

How to cut potatoes to make French fries

Making homemade French fries is so easy to do! How you cut potatoes to make fries really comes down to personal preference. For example, you could cut the potatoes quite thinly for a crispier classic French fry shape. Or you could cut the potatoes in more of a chunky style like you would find in a traditional British chip shop or pub. Here is a step by step break down of how to generally cut potatoes for French fries.

  1. Slice the peeled or skin on potatoes into large disks
  2. Stack half of the potato disks on top of each other to create a pile
  3. Then slice vertically to create long potato batons / fries
  4. Repeat the step again with the remaining pile of potato disks
homemade sliced potatoes ready for air frying

Why soak potatoes in water before frying 

When making French fries, soaking the sliced potatoes in water before air frying can help to remove some of the starch in the potatoes. This will stop the potatoes from sticking together and increase the crispiness of the fries. It’s not essential to do this for my air fryer garlic parmesan truffle fries’ recipe. However, if you would like to pre-soak the fries before air frying then you will need to add the sliced potatoes to a bowl of cold water and let them sit for 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry before adding to the air fryer.

Why are my air fryer fries soggy

If prepared incorrectly air frier French fries can be soggy. To prevent this, ensure that you:

  • Place the fries on one layer of the air fryer basket or tray. If you overload or overlap the French fries a steaming effect will take place whilst cooking as the moisture on the fries is interlacing.
  • cook larger amounts in batches to make sure the French fries are crispy
  • If you are making homemade French fries which have been soaking in cold water, ensure you drain the water and pat the chips dry with kitchen towel. Excess water on the fries before cooking will make them soggy
  • Halfway through cooking shake the basket or use a kitchen tong to turn over the French fries / chips to ensure both sides are crispy.
sliced potatoes in a air fryer basket

How long does it take to air fry French fries

Fresh homemade French fries can take between 15-18 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer. Times will vary based in the model.

How long does it take to air fry Frozen French fries

Frozen French fries can take between 18 – 20 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer. Times will vary based in the model.

What temp to air fry garlic truffle fries

I have found the best temperature to air fry homemade garlic parmesan truffle fries is 170c/340f. Preheating the air fryer beforehand also speeds up the cooking time for the fries.

garlic parmesan truffle fries with ketchup sauce on the side

How to make garlic parmesan truffle fries

For the full recipe including ingredient please scull to the bottom of this page where you will find the recipe card and ingredients amounts.

  • Air fryer prep: firstly, preheat your air fryer
  • Cutting the fries: Slice the peeled or skin on potatoes into large disks, stack half of the potato disks on top of each other to create a pile, then slice vertically to create long potato batons / fries, repeat the step again with the remaining pile of potato disks. (check tips below the recipe card)
  • Air frying the fries: Place the fries into the air fryer, spray vegetable oil over the potatoes and use a tong to mix and evenly spread the fries on the air fryer basket/tray. The fries should not be overlapping each other, so you can cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
  • Cooking time and temperature: Air fry for 10 minutes at 170c/340f then shake the basket or use a tong to flip the fries over and air fry for another 5 – 8 minutes.
  • Seasoning the fries: Add the crispy fries into a large bowl and pour over the garlic, parmesan cheese, truffle oil, parsley, black pepper, salt and gently mix with kitchen tongs until all the fries are coated with the seasonings. The garlic parmesan truffle fries are now ready to serve!
  • garlic parmesan truffle fries ingredients
  • cooked air fryer french fries close up shot
  • mixed garlic parmesan truffle seasoning on the air fried fries chips
  • garlic parmesan truffle fries on a oven tray with ketchup sauce dip

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Truffle Fries STEP BY STEP RECIPE VIDEO TUTORIAL

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Is parmesan vegetarian

The hard cheese variety, Parmesan / Parmigiano-Reggiano is made from cow’s milk. Traditional parmesan cheese made in Italy is not vegetarian due to it containing animal product from the cow’s stomach. However, most supermarkets sell varieties of “Italian hard cheese” which is a great vegetarian alternative.

How to get garlic to stick to the fries

To make the garlic stick when making garlic truffle parmesan fries, ensure that the fresh garlic cloves are chopped finely or even better minced into a paste. If the garlic pieces are too large, they will fall off the French fries. Adding truffle oil or melted butter to the cooked fries will also help the garlic adhere to the potatoes.

garlic parmesan truffle fries ingredients in a bowl not mixed yet

How to reheat French fries in air fryer

Air fryers are great for reheating fries. Simply place into a preheated air fryer basket / tray and cook for 6-8 minutes at 170c/340f

Are air fried French fries healthy

Air fried French fries are much healthier compared to traditionally deep-fried French fries as less oil is used during the cooking process. Using oil sprays to gently coat the fries rather than submerging the potatoes in oil whilst deep or shallow frying substantially reduces the fat content of the fries/chips.

How many calories in air fryer French fries

They are 134 calories in one serving of plain homemade French fries

How many calories in garlic parmesan truffle fries

There are 195 calories in one serving of air fryer garlic parmesan truffle fries

air fried truffle fries chip dipped in ketchup

What is truffle oil

Truffle oil is a beautifully flavoured oil infused with the flavour and aroma of truffles, which is a type of foraged fungus. Truffle oil can come in the black or white verities.

What is truffle oil used for

Truffle oil is mainly used as a finishing oil for flavour. Truffle oil is most used in dishes such as

  • Air fryer truffle fries
  • Truffle mac and cheese
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Rosemary fries
  • Mushrooms
  • Pasta
  • Desserts infused with truffle

Which truffle oil for fries

White or black truffle infused oil works well for garlic parmesan fries recipes. The oil should be added at the end of cooking as a finishing oil.

Is truffle oil vegan

Truffle oil is vegan as it is mainly made from infusing olive oil with truffles.

What foods go well with air fryer truffle French fries?

French fires work well with so many dishes as they are quite versatile, here are some meal ideals to pair with air fryer garlic parmesan truffle fries:

air fried lamb chops and garlic parmesan truffle fries
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garlic parmesan truffle fries with ketchup sauce on the side

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Truffle Fries

  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 18
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 2 x servings
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Description

This Homemade Air fryer Garlic Parmesan Truffle Fries recipe requires minimal effort, tastes amazing and is so easy to make! These fresh, healthy and crispy seasoned French fries are the best for dinner, lunch or a delicious snack!

Ingredients

  • Baking potatoes / Russet potatoes – 2 x large potatoes
  • Fresh garlic – 3 x cloves (finely chopped or minced)
  • Parmesan cheese (grated) – 30g / ¼ cup
  • Ground Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
  • Salt – ½ x teaspoon or more to your preferred taste
  • Truffle oil – 1 x Tablespoon
  • Fresh parsley – Large handful chopped

 

Instructions

  1. Air fryer prep: firstly, preheat your air fryer
  2. Cutting the fries: Slice the peeled or skin on potatoes into large disks, stack half of the potato disks on top of each other to create a pile, then slice vertically to create long potato batons / fries, repeat the step again with the remaining pile of potato disks. (check tips below the recipe card)
  3. Air frying the fries: Place the fries into the air fryer, spray vegetable oil over the potatoes and use a tong to mix and evenly spread the fries on the air fryer basket. The fries should not be overlapping each other, so you can cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
  4. Cooking time and temperature: Air fry for 10 minutes at 170c/340f then shake the basket or use a tong to flip the fries over and air fry for another 5 – 8 minutes.
  5. Seasoning the fries: Add the crispy fries into a large bowl and pour over the garlic, parmesan cheese, truffle oil, parsley, black pepper, salt and gently mix with kitchen tongs until all the fries are coated with the seasonings. The garlic parmesan truffle fries are now ready to serve!

Notes

You can add more salt to taste if required.

Cook the fries in batches if you have a smaller air fryer, to prevent the fries from becoming soggy.

When making French fries, soaking the sliced potatoes in water before air frying can help to remove some of the starch in the potatoes. This will stop the potatoes from sticking together and increase the crispiness of the fries. It’s not essential to do this for my air fryer garlic parmesan truffle fries’ recipe. However, if you would like to pre-soak the fries before air frying, then add to a bowl of cold water and let them sit for 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry before adding to the air fryer.

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian / French

Keywords: Air fryer fries, garlic, truffle, parmesan, homemade, french, easy recipe, dinner, chips

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pinterest pin air fryer garlic truffle fries

Thank you so much for reading along. I hope you making your Air fryer garlic parmesan truffle fries.

If you try this recipe, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and star rating, you can find this at the bottom of the page and recipe card 😊

You can also share via social media. If you can take a photo and hashtag #prettydeliciouseats  — I would love to see your recipes on Instagram, Pinterest

Air fryer KFC Southern Fried Chicken Drumsticks

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This healthy copycat KFC Southern fried chicken recipe will blow your mind! The air fryer buttermilk marinated chicken drumsticks are juicy, crispy, tender and so easy to make! The BEST homemade Fried Chicken you will ever make!

cooked kfc chicken in a takeaway paper bucket

Fried chicken is my most favourite food EVER! I’ve been making the delish dish for over 15 years and over this period I have perfected the most amazing and slightly healthier homemade recipe cooked via an air fryer!

These delicious buttermilk chicken drumsticks are also a copycat of the very popular KFC style fried chicken! 

They taste so good!

Let’s deep dive into how to make the BEST homemade fried chicken you’ve ever tasted!

close up of the air fried chicken

NEED SOME MORE RECIPE INSPIRATION? – TRY OUT THESE AMAZING RECIPES TOO! 

Why buttermilk for fried chicken? 

Homemade Buttermilk fried chicken tastes amazing, juicy and tender! There is also a science behind why buttermilk can elevate southern style fried chicken to the next level! 

What does buttermilk do to chicken

Buttermilk, which is traditionally made from lemon and cows’ milk, is used as a marinade to tenderise poultry and other meats. The science behind buttermilk is that it has an acidic and also creamy nature which breaks down the fibres of chicken or meat, resulting in tenderisation. Another benefit of marinating with buttermilk is that the flesh stays juicy and does not dry out as the acidity levels in buttermilk is quite mild.

  • Plate of fried chicken
  • Dipping air fried chicken into gravy

How long to marinate chicken in buttermilk

You can marinade chicken for up to 3 – 4 days in buttermilk. The longer the chicken is marinating in buttermilk the more tender the chicken becomes and also takes on any additional flavourings added to the buttermilk even more intensely, as opposed to marinating chicken for 24 hours for example.

Do you wash buttermilk off chicken

When preparing fried chicken which has been marinating in buttermilk, you do not wash off the buttermilk before adding to flour. When preparing chicken pieces to be dredged in seasoned flour you just simply shake off the excess buttermilk before dipping into flour. You still want buttermilk on the chicken because as well as acting as a probiotic tenderiser, the buttermilk also helps the seasoned flour adhere to the chicken pieces. This will also help the chicken get really crispy whilst cooking.

buttermilk hot sauce and egg in a bowl ready to marinate the chicken

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk for fried chicken

If you can’t get hold of buttermilk or would prefer to make southern fried chicken without buttermilk, you can definitely just use milk as an alternative. The crispy batter will be slightly thinner and lighter in texture compared to buttermilk as plain milk is quite thin in consistency. 

Where does southern fried chicken come from

Southern fried chicken is typically marinated in buttermilk before dredging in seasoned flour and then fried in oil. This delicious crispy fried chicken originates from the southern states of America.

What to serve fried chicken with?

Fried chicken is an amazing dish or appetiser eaten on its own! However southern fried chicken can be paired with so many other dishes or sauces. Here’s some ideas to pair KFC style chicken with a meal;

  • Fried chicken and gravy 
  • Fried chicken served with pickles
  • Great when served with French fries /chips 
  • Fried chicken and waffles 
  • Served with mac and cheese
  • Chicken in burgers is also a classic combination 
plate of air fryer chicken and a sauce pot of gravy

What is KFC secret recipe ingredients 

One of the most sort after commercial culinary secrets is the KFC original recipe fried chicken recipe. The global fried chicken restaurant and take out brand is widely popular throughout the world. It’s said the secret recipe includes 11 top secret spices / seasoning to give the chicken its amazing moreish taste! Opinions vary on the exact recipe however I have tested and found the combination of spices below to get you pretty close to the notorious original Kentucky fried chicken flavour.

  1. Salt
  2. Dried thyme 
  3. Dried Basil 
  4. Oregano
  5. Celery salt 
  6. Dried mustard 
  7. Paprika
  8. Marjoram
  9. Ginger 
  10. White pepper 
  11. Ground black pepper 
kfc spices on a plate

What is seasoned flour

Seasoned flour is flour that has been mixed with herbs, spices and salt for extra flavour. Usually, all purpose flour/plain flour is used when making buttermilk KFC style fried chicken. By seasoning both the chicken, the buttermilk marinade and the flour you ensure the fried chicken drumstick, wings, breasts, etc. are packed full of flavour with every bite

How to season flour for fried chicken

Simply add spices, herbs and salt to flour and mix until fully combined. Seasoned flour can be stored in an air tight jar when made in bulk, ready for your next  fried chicken meal!

spices and herbs in a bowl for the kfc seasoned flour

How to make air fried chicken like KFC original recipe 

To achieve crisp delicious coating like KFC for fried chicken when cooking in an air fryer, follow the steps below; (for more detailed recipe steps including ingredient amounts, timing and temperatures please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post)

  1. Preheat – Preheat the air fryer (if this setting is available on the model your using) 
  2. Buttermilk Marinade – Add the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce to a large bowl. Whisk until combined then add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl, stir and set aside to use straight away or for the best results marinate overnight in the fridge. 
  3. Making the Copycat KFC Original Recipe Seasoned Flour – Add flour into another large bowl alongside with the all the 11 KFC spices & salt to make the seasoned flour. Mix until all the spices have combined with the flour evenly. Add 4 x tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade to the seasoned flour and mix. Little crumb will form which will help with the overall crispiness’ of the chicken.
  4. Dredging the chicken – Using hands take one drumstick out of the buttermilk marinade, shake of the excess liquid, then add to the seasoned flour. Use your hands to cover the drumsticks with the flour, apply pressure to ensure the flour adheres fully. Shake off the excess and place into the air fryer basket. 
  5. Air frying the chicken drumsticks – Spray the dredged chicken drumsticks generously with vegetable oil, then air fry for 10 minutes at 180c/350f . After the initial 10minutes of cooking stop the air fryer and turn the chicken drumsticks over to crisp up the other side of the chicken. Spray the chicken with oil to cover any flour patches. Then air fry for a further 7-8 minutes at 180c/350f degrees until cooked.
  • fried chicken ingredients
  • kfc chicken marinade with buttermilk
  • buttermilk marinade
  • chicken marinating in the buttermilk and then seasoned in flour
  • the dredged kfc chicken in the air fryer
  • cooked kfc chicken in the air fryer basket

How does KFC cook their chicken 

KFC deep fry their chicken drumsticks in large industrial pressure cooker fryers, this helps give the chicken a super crispy skin whilst the chicken flesh inside remains very moist. The cook time is usually slightly less than a traditional deep fat fryer or shallow frying via a cast iron skillet. Although traditional fried chicken will always have a fatty nature due to the deep-frying cooking process, pressure frying is known to alleviate some of the greasiness.

air fried kfc chicken in a takeaway bucket

Do Air fryers work for fried chicken?

Air frying is a great alternative to deep frying chicken. You can achieve pretty similar results to traditionally fried chicken. As well as being healthier due to; the reduced oil used during the cooking process & air frying negates the oil smells that can fill the kitchen when deep frying or using a cast iron skillet to make fried chicken.

How to make crispy fried chicken drumsticks in air fryer

Air fryers are such a great kitchen gadget for achieving crispy results without the hassle of deep frying or longer cook times via a traditional oven. There are a few key tips to achieving crispy, KFC style, Southern fried chicken drumsticks results when using an air fryer ;

  • Coating seasoned chicken in a seasoned flour dredge 
  • Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded with chicken. If there are too many pieces at one time in the air fryer the chicken batter will stick together. Also a steaming effect will occur resulting in soggy batter and you don’t want that! 
  • Generously spraying the chicken with oil to help the flour crisp up whilst cooking 
  • For the crispiest results I prefer not to use a greaseproof air fryer liner. When testing I found moisture would form at the base of the chicken pieces, making the KFC style batter slightly soggy. Most air fryer baskets are made from non-stick materials, so a liner is not required. Also, residual oil that releases from the chicken during the cooking process also helps prevent the southern fried chicken from sticking to the air fryer base.
cooked kfc chicken in the air fryer basket

How long to cook fried chicken in air fryer 

How long the cooking time would be for fried chicken in the air fryer will depend on the sizes of chicken you are using and whether or not the chicken pieces are on the bone. For my KFC style buttermilk southern fried chicken recipe, I air fry the chicken drumsticks for a total of 18 minutes, flipping the chicken over at the 10-minute mark. If you were cooking boneless fried chicken thighs or wings, I’ve found the timings in the air fryer are a lot less, for example between the 13-15 minute mark. (subject to the temperature you’re cooking at)

Air fried kfc chicken on a plate

At what temperature do you cook fried chicken in the air fryer

I’ve tested multiple air fryer temperatures to achieve the best southern fried chicken results! The sweet spot in my opinion is 180c/350f, the chicken drumsticks, thighs, breast or wings cooked at this level achieve an even golden and crispy texture on the surface of the surface, whilst also being cooked in the centre. 

How to reheat fried chicken in air fryer

I love to use my air fryer to reheat KFC style fried chicken. Its way quicker than using an oven, results in even cooking and also eliminates sogginess that occurs when reheating fried food in a microwave. To reheat crispy fried chicken place the chicken drumsticks or other cuts of chicken into the air fryer basket, ensure you do not overcrowd!  Set the temperature to 180c/350f and air fry for 5-7 minutes.

Can you fry frozen chicken in air fryer

You most definitely can air fry frozen chicken in the air fryer. If you would like to reheat frozen pieces of KFC style buttermilk chicken place the chicken pieces back into the air fryer straight from the freezer. Air fryer for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, at 180c/350f. 

Thank you so much for reading along. I hope you making your AIR FRYER KFC COPYCAT SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN!

If you try this recipe, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and star rating, you can find this at the bottom of the page and recipe card 

You can also share via social media. If you can take a photo and hashtag #prettydeliciouseats  — I would love to see your meals on Instagram, Pinterest,  Facebook ! 

Click the image below to save to your Pinterest boards!

pinterest pin of air fried kfc chicken in a bucket

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cooked kfc chicken in a takeaway paper bucket

Air fryer KFC Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken Drumsticks

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 8
  • Cook Time: 17
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8-9 Pieces of chicken
Print Recipe

Description

This Healthy Copycat KFC Southern Fried Chicken recipe will blow your mind! The Air Fryer Buttermilk marinated Chicken Drumsticks are juicy, crispy, tender and so easy to make! The BEST homemade Fried Chicken you will ever make!

Ingredients

Chicken Drumsticks:

  • Chicken drumsticks – 1kg /2.2pounds
  • Hot sauce* (Franks hot sauce works well) – 75ml / 1/3 cup
  • Egg – 1 x egg
  • Buttermilk – 250ml (if making your own buttermilk – 250ml / 1 cup of whole milk + the juice of 1 x lemon, leave for 5 minutes to thicken)
  • Vegetable oil for spraying the chicken

     

KFC Original Recipe Copycat Seasoned flour:

  • Plain/All-purpose flour – 272g / 2 x cups
  • Salt – 3 x teaspoons
  • Dried thyme – 2 x teaspoons
  • Dried Basil – 2x teaspoons
  • Oregano – 1 x teaspoon
  • Celery salt – 2 x teaspoons
  • Dried mustard – 1 x teaspoon
  • Paprika – 3 x teaspoons
  • Marjoram – 2 x teaspoons
  • Ground ginger – 1 x teaspoon
  • Ground white pepper – 2 x teaspoons
  • Ground black pepper – 2 x teaspoons

     

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat prep: Preheat the air fryer (if this setting is available on the model your using)
  2. Buttermilk Marinade: Add the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce to a large bowl. Whisk until combined then add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl, stir and set aside to use straight away or for the best results marinate overnight in the fridge. (Optional – Check out the recipe notes section further down the recipe card for instructions on how to make your own buttermilk)
  3. Making the Copycat KFC Original Recipe Seasoned Flour: Add flour into another large bowl alongside with the all the 11 KFC spices & salt to make the seasoned flour. Mix until all the spices have combined with the flour evenly. Add 4 x tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade to the seasoned flour and mix. Little crumb will form which will help with the overall crispiness’ of the chicken.
  4. Dredging the chicken: Using hands take one drumstick out of the buttermilk marinade, shake of the excess liquid, then add to the seasoned flour. Use your hands to cover the drumsticks with the flour, apply pressure to ensure the flour adheres fully. Shake off the excess and place into the air fryer basket.
  5. Air frying the chicken drumsticks: Spray the dredged chicken drumsticks generously with vegetable oil, then air fry for 10 minutes at 180c/350f . After the initial 10 minutes of cooking stop the air fryer and turn the chicken drumsticks over to crisp up the other side of the chicken. Spray the chicken with oil to cover any flour patches. Then air fry for a further 7-8 minutes at 180c/350f degrees until cooked
  6. Serving Suggestion: Remove the cooked pieces of chicken from the air fryer basket and serve straight away.

Notes

How to make homemade Buttermilk – (if making your own buttermilk – 250ml / 1 cup of whole milk + the juice of 1 x lemon, leave for 5 minutes to thicken)     

Hot sauce – I like to use the Franks Hot Sauce for the buttermilk marinade

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer, fried chicken, kfc recipe, buttermilk, southern fried chicken, copycat recipe, take out, take away, air fryer recipes

Cajun Air fryer Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

1 Comment

This Crispy Cajun Caesar Salad recipe is Amazing! It’s LOADED with Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, a EASY Homemade Caesar Dressing and paired with Crisp Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and delicious Croutons! It makes such a delicious lunch or dinner salad!

chicken caesar salad in a bowl
  • plate of chicken tenders which are crispy and air fried
  • homemade caesar salad dressing in a bowl

What kind of lettuce is in chicken Caesar Salad?

Romaine or sometimes known as cos lettuce is most commonly used for Caesar salad recipes. The lettuce has a long oblong shape. The outer lettuce leaves can sometimes be mildly bitter however the centre of the romaine lettuce tends to be sweeter in flavour.

  • Romaine lettuce sliced
  • bowl of chopped Romaine lettuce

Do you love croutons with salad? – Well try out my AMAZING QUICK & EASY RECIPE!

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CROUTONS IN AN AIR FRYER

croutons for caesar salad

How to cut romaine lettuce for salad

The best way to cut romaine lettuce for a Caesar salad is to cut the tough bottom root off, slice the romaine down the middle to make two halves and then finally chop into 1.5/2 inch square pieces.

How to dry lettuce without a salad spinner 

To dry lettuce without a salad spinner lay the washed lettuce leaves on top of a clean kitchen towel or disposable kitchen towels. Then get another towel to gently press against the top side of the lettuce to soak up any excess water still remaining on the leaves.

romaine lettuce in a bowl mixed with homemade caesar salad dressing

What cheese is used in air fryer chicken Caesar salad?

Classically Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is made in Italy, is used for Caesar salad. Or more commonly available parmesan cheese is also used. The hard cheese is within the Caesar salad dressing and also typically grated on top of the salad for additional flavour.

What is Caesar dressing made of 

Caesar salad dressing is made of the following ingredients;

  • Grated parmesan cheese 
  • Garlic clove  
  • Tinned Anchovies 
  • Fresh Lemon juice 
  • Dijon Mustard 
  • Worcestershire sauce 
  • Black pepper 
  • Mayonnaise 
  • homemade caesar sald dressing in a jar

How to make your own Caesar salad dressing 

Homemade Caesar dressing tastes so much better than store bought versions! My recipe for the dressing is lovely thick and creamy therefore coats the romaine lettuce in the salad quite well. The process of making the Caesar dressing is pretty easy as you just blend all the ingredients until smooth. I find the best tool for making the dressing is a food processor to achieve the best smooth texture. 

  • homemade caesar salad dressing in a food processor
  • homemade caesar salad dressing in a food processor

How to make Caesar salad dressing without mayonnaise 

You can also make Cesar salad without mayonnaise. Instead you would incorporate egg yolks rather than mayonnaise and with the addition of olive oil to make the Caesar dressing. The consistency is usually slightly runnier than the dressing recipes containing mayonnaise   

homemade caesar salad dressing in a bowl

What goes well with chicken Air Fryer Caesar salad?

Caesar salad can be a standalone dish by itself as it is very filling especially with the addition of carbs from the croutons and protein when topped with chicken. The popular dish also appears in many mainstream fast food restaurants such as; Wendy’s, Chick fil a, McDonalds, cheesecake factory, featuring their own rendition of the classic dish.  

As well as chicken Caesar salad being a side dish it can also be paired within other recipes. Here are some popular pairings below;

  • Chicken Caesar pasta salad
  • Chicken Caesar salad wrap
  • Buffalo chicken Caesar salad
  • Chicken Caesar salad pizza

How to make crispy chicken Caesar salad 

Caesar salad is such an easy salad to make! All you need is cooked chicken, Caesar salad dressing, chopped romaine or cos lettuce, grated or shavings of parmesan cheese and croutons. 

  1. Simply mix in some of the Caesar dressing with the chopped salad
  2. Place the salad into a large serving bowl
  3. Top with croutons, sliced pieces of cooked chicken and then add the grated/shavings of parmesan cheese 
chicken caesar salad in a bowl

Type of chicken for Air Fryer Caesar salad 

The most popular cut of chicken used in chicken Caesar salad is chicken breast. For my Crispy Air fryer spicy chicken salad recipe I use the chicken tender section of the chicken breast. 

What are chicken tenders

Chicken tenderloin is attached to the chicken breast, it’s a much smaller thin size of white meat just under the breast. Chicken tenders are super juicy and do not require a long time to cook due to their size.

How to make chicken tenders

You can buy chicken tenderloins from the supermarket already prepped, they are also sometimes described as “chicken fillets”. You can make your own chicken tenderloins by slicing 1 inch thick vertical pieces from boneless chicken breasts.

a plate of crispy spicy air fryer chicken tenders with a ketchup dip on the side

How to cook air fryer chicken for Caesar salad

  • An air fryer is perfect for cooking crispy chicken tenders. This method of cooking is also very healthy as you cut out the deep frying step which can be very fatty. Here are the easy steps below on how to make the Spicy Cajun chicken tenders for the caesar salad. (get the full detailed recipe at the bottom of this blog post; including ingredients, timings and measurements)
  • Add the chicken tenders to a bowl then mix with the Cajun seasoning, salt & black pepper. 
  • Prepare another two small bowls, with whisked egg and the other with Cajun seasoned flour 
  • Dip the chicken into the egg mixture, then place into the seasoned flour and shake off the excess before adding to the air fryer basket. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer, do not overcrowd the basket!
  • Spray the chicken tenders with a generous amount of oil whilst in the basket. Air Fry for 10 – 12 minutes at 180◦C / 350◦F, flip over at 6 minutes and spray again with oil as there will be some flour patches on the chicken. 
  • Once cooked remove from the basket and set aside.
  • the spicy cajun marinated chicken tender ingredients
  • dredged chicken in an air fryer basket
  • dredged chicken tenders in an air fryer basket
  • crispy cooked chicken tenders in an air fryer basket

How to cook chicken tenders in the oven 

If you don’t have an air fryer you can also cook the chicken tenders in an oven. Simply added the chicken tenders, once dredged in the egg and seasoned flour mixture, onto a greased oven tray. Spray the chicken with oil & bake. Flip the tenderloins over half way through cooking and spray again with oil. 

What temp to oven bake chicken tenders

The temperature to bake chicken tenders in an oven is 180°c/350°f for 15-18 minutes. Preheat the oven beforehand for the best results.

How to reheat chicken tenders in air fryer

Air fryers are super handy as they are also great for reheating meals as they keep the food item crispy. They are a lot quicker than a conventional oven and help to avoid the soggy texture you get in a microwave when reheating battered/fried food. 

If you would like to save some of the chicken tenders for meal prep or lunch on another day. Simply add the chicken tenders to the air fryer basket and air fry for 5 minutes at 180°c/350°f .

crispy air fryer chicken tenders being dipped into tomato ketchup

How to season chicken for Caesar salad 

The seasoning for a air fryer chicken Caesar salad will vary as there are so many ways to make this classic salad. Most chicken Caesar salads use chicken breast which is grilled or poached with mild seasoning such as salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, olive oil etc. The spicy chicken tenders in this recipe use Cajun seasoning for the chicken tenders marinade and in seasoned flour for extra amazing flavour! Here are some other ways below which you can season chicken for a Caesar salad;

  • Blackened chicken Caesar salad
  • Buffalo chicken Caesar salad
  • Fried chicken Caesar salad
  • Southwest chicken Caesar salad
chicken caesar salad in a bowl

What is Cajun seasoning

Cajun seasoning is a quintessential spice blend from the ethnic group Cajuns, mainly based in America, predominantly in the states of Louisiana and Texas. The spice is used throughout Cajun cooking and sometimes can be spicy. 

How to make Cajun seasoning

To make Cajun seasoning rather than buying a premade spice blend is really simple, just mix the 1 x teaspoon each of ingredients below and store in an airtight jar. You can adjust more or less of the spices to suit your taste preferences too.

  • Smoked paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Oregano
  • Kosher salt
  • Onion powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Cayenne
  • Thyme 

What to use in place of Cajun seasoning

Some great substitutes for Cajun seasoning which also have great similar flavours is Creole Seasoning and Old Bay Seasoning. You can buy both spice blends premade or make homemade versions with the ingredients below;  

Old Bay Seasoning

Cayenne pepper, celery Salt, nutmeg, paprika, ground cinnamon, black pepper, ground ginger, ground dry mustard.

Creole Seasoning

Salt, red pepper, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, basil, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper and onion powder.

the spicy cajun marinated chicken tender ingredients

Is Chicken Caesar salad Keto friendly 

Air fryer chicken Caesar salad can be slightly keto friendly with a few healthy tweaks to the recipe.

  1. Keto Dressing – the dressing has a high fat content and minimal amount of carbs. 
  2. Keto Crispy Cajun Chicken – To make the air fryer spicy chicken Keto friendly swap the plain/ all-purpose flour for almond flour. Almond flour is a great alternative to plain flour as it has a substantially lower net carb composition compared to plain/ all-purpose flour which is made from wheat. You could also use seasoned grilled chicken as an alternative without any breading/coating.
  3. Keto Croutons – For the croutons you could leave them out of the salad or use a keto friendly bread alternative rather than using the ciabatta bread in this recipe.
caesar salad with chicken in a bowl

Thank you so much for reading along. I hope you making your Cajun air fryer crispy chicken Caesar salad!

If you try this recipe, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and star rating, you can find this at the bottom of the page and recipe card 

You can also share via social media. If you can take a photo and hashtag #prettydeliciouseats  — I would love to see your meals on Instagram, Pinterest,  Facebook ! 

Air fryer Crispy Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad PIN

Need some more recipe inspiration? – Try out these AMAZING recipes too! 

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Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Caesar salad in a bowl

CAJUN AIR FRYER CRISPY CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD RECIPE

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 8
  • Cook Time: 12
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x
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Description

This Crispy Cajun Caesar Salad recipe is Amazing! It’s LOADED with Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, a EASY Homemade Caesar Dressing and paired with crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and delicious croutons! It makes such a delicious lunch or dinner salad!

Ingredients

Scale

Homemade Caesar Dressing

  • Grated parmesan cheese – 3 x tablespoons
  • Garlic clove – x 1
  • Tinned Anchovies – x 3 fillets
  • Fresh Lemon juice – ½ lemon
  • Dijon Mustard – x 1 teaspoon
  • Worcestershire sauce – 1 x tablespoon
  • Black pepper – ½ tablespoon
  • Mayonnaise – 1 ½ Mayo /  345g

Air Fryer Crispy Cajun Chicken

  • Chicken breast tenderloins – 450g/1 pound
  • All-purpose flour  – 2 cups/130g
  • Egg x 1 
  • Cajun seasoning  4 x tablespoons 
  • Red chilli Flakes – (optional 1 x teaspoon)
  • Salt 2 teaspoons 
  • Pepper ½ tablespoon 
  • Vegetable oil Spray bottle

Salad

 

Instructions

Air fryer crispy chicken 

  1. Add the chicken tenders to a bowl then mix with 2 x tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning and 1 x tablespoon of salt. 
  2. Then prepare another two bowls, 1 with the egg whisked and another with the combined flour, remaining 2 x tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, ½ black pepper and 1 x tablespoon of salt.
  3. Dip the seasoned chicken into the egg mixture, then place into the seasoned flour and shake off the excess before placing into the air fryer basket. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
  4. Spray the chicken tenders with a generous amount of oil whilst in the basket Air Fry for 10 – 12 minutes at 180◦C / 350◦F, flip over at 6 minutes and spray again with oil as there will be some flour patches on the chicken. Once cooked remove from the basket and set aside.

Homemade Caesar dressing 

  1. Whilst the chicken is cooking add the dressing ingredients into a food processor, blend until smooth. You may need to stop midway to scrape down the sides with a specular to ensure all the ingredients are blended into a smooth sauce.
  2. Assemble the salad by mixing some of the Caesar dressing with the chopped lettuce in a large bowl. Add croutons and sliced pieces of the air fried crispy Cajun chicken tenders! You can add extra shavings of parmesans cheese to the salad.

 

Notes

  • Check the spice and salt level of the Cajun seasoning, some can be more salty or spicier than others, adjust the recipe to your personal taste preference where needed.
  • Spray the chicken tenders generously with oil before air frying. Half way through cooking repeat the process to remove any seasoned flour patches on the chicken tenders.
  • The excess Caesar salad dressing should be refrigerated and stored for up to 1 week.
  • If you don’t have an Air Fryer Oven baked instructions can be in the body of this post, scroll up for more details

  • Category: Lunch/Dinner
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Air fryer, Caesar Salad, Caesar homemade dressing, chicken tenders, spicy chicken, Cajun, croutons

Air fryer chocolate high protein granola recipe

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This homemade air fryer chocolate granola recipe is so easy to make in just 15 minutes! Its the perfect wholesome breakfast or snack, as the granola is made with chocolate protein powder and delicious pieces of hazelnut, dried coconut, rolled oats and much more!

air fryer chocolate granola in a bowl

What is granola  

Is oatmeal and granola the same thing? no not necessarily however the main ingredient is same, rolled oats. Granola is a breakfast cereal similar to muesli. Oats paired with a range of other ingredients, are toasted in an oven or air fryer until crispy and slightly golden in colour. 

granola in a air fryer basket cooked

What ingredients are in air fryer granola 

Granola recipes vary massively as a range of ingredients work quite well with this breakfast cereal option. Here are some the most common ingredients in granola;

  • Oats – I like to use organic jumbo rolled oats 
  • Steel cut oats – sometimes used for granola 
  • Sweetener/Sugar – Honey, syrup, brown sugar 
  • Extra Flavourings – Vanilla extract, chocolate chips 
  • Nuts – Pistachios, Hazelnuts, Cashews, Walnuts, Almonds, Macadamia, & peanuts.
  • Nut butters – peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter 
  • Dried fruit – dried coconut, dried peaches, raisins, sultanas, dried bananas 
  • Seeds – Sunflower Seeds, Flaxseeds, Chia Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Hemp Seeds. 
  • Oils – coconut oil, vegetable oil, canola, grapeseed
chocolate protein granola ingredients

Can you make homemade granola in the air fryer 

Yes you sure can make granola in the air fryer! Air frying homemade granola is a great quick way to make granola without using an oven. 

chocolate granola in a bowl

How to make air fryer chocolate hazelnut protein granola

Chocolate granola is so delicious! Pairing the granola with chocolate protein powder takes the flavour to another level whist also being a high source of protein. Here’s how you make it! (scroll to the bottom of this blog post for the full recipe including measurements and cook times via the recipe card)

  • Add oats, hazelnuts & chocolate protein powder to a large bowl, then mix.
  • In a smaller bowl whisk together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Once combined pour over the dry hazelnut, oats and protein powder mixture. Stir the mixture with a large spoon until combined. 
  • Pour the granola mixture directly into your air fryer basket, no need to line the base (it’s okay if some of the granola hits the bottom of the air fryer basket)
  • Whilst air frying remember to use a fork to separate the granola mixture through out the cook time, to ensure even cooking and prevent the top layer from burning.
  • Remove the granola from the air fryer by pouring over a grease proof / parchment paper lined oven tray. Once cooled sprinkle the chocolate chips and coconut flakes over the granola.
  • Homemade Air Fryer Chocolate Protein Granola Recipe
  • Homemade Air Fryer Chocolate Protein Granola Recipe
  • granola syrup mixture
  • peanut butter and maple syrup
  • adding syrup to rolled oats
  • granola mix
  • Granola in the Air Fryer Chocolate
  • Granola in the air fryer
  • granola on a tray
  • adding coconut to the chocolate granola
  • adding chocolate chips to the granola
  • Chocolate Protein Granola on a tray

What to eat with air fryer chocolate protein granola 

Granola is a ready to eat cereal that can be paired with a range of ingredients for breakfast or a quick nutritious healthy snack. Here are some ideas on what to pair with homemade granola;

  • Add to smoothies
  • Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Add to smoothies
  • With nut butter
  • Fresh fruit

How do you eat chocolate granola 

Here are some ways I’ve paired my chocolate & hazel nut high protein granola;

  • chocolate granola and greek yogurt
  • chocolate granola in a bowl

How long does granola last

Homemade granola can last up to 2 week and even longer if you freeze the granola. The best way to store granola is by placing it into an air tight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from going soggy.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN AIR FRYER

Air frying is such a great way of cooking food! The popular small counter top electric air fryer convection oven, mimics the process of “frying food” without having to deep fry in oil! Here are some of the top benefits of cooking with an air fryer;

  • Healthier – Air frying is a much healthier alternative to deep or shallow frying food. Up to 80% less fat can be achieved in certain air fried meals by using this cooking method rather than frying conventionally in oil.
  • Even cooking – Because the fan in an air fryer circulates at a high speed within a small space, food tends to crisp up quicker and cook evenly throughout. 
  • Time efficient –  Although some air fryers have a pre heat setting, air fryers generally heat up very quickly. Due to their size, cook times are substantially lower compared to an oven, which can take up to 15 minutes to pre heat fully and come up to temperature.
  • Easy to use – Air fryers are very easy to use and are a great kitchen tool for cooks that might not be as confident in the kitchen.
  • Saves space – As air fryers are small and portable, they are great for people who may not have access to a fully functioning kitchen. For example a college student or someone who lives in a studio apartment where you may not have access to a full size oven. 
  • Versatility – Air fryers are probably the most versatile kitchen gadgets available. Not only can you air fry food, you can also bake, grill, toast, steam and roast ingredients in the air fryer.

WHAT AIR FRYER DO I USE?

I’ve tested quite a few air fryers and one of my favourites is the Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Air Fryer, 6 Quart/ 5.L. I love the size of this model and the large square shape air fryer basket, i find you can fit more food in air fryers shaped like this. The vortex air fryer comes with 4 built in smart programs in 1 appliance (air fry, roast, bake and reheat) so it’s super versatile! I especially love how easy the fryer basket is to clean as the drip tray on the base of the basket is removable. 

two bowls of granola

What breakfast foods are high in protein

A great source of protein to pair with granola is plain Greek yogurt. 

chocolate granola and yogurt

FREQUENTLY ASKED NUTRITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CHOCOLATE PROTEIN GRANOLA

Is granola keto friendly

Granola is mostly not keto friendly due to the high amount of net carbohydrates in the rolled oats and sugar. A good alternative for keto granola would be to remove the oats and use a mixture of wholesome seeds and nuts for texture, with the addition of a sugar free sweetener.

Is granola vegan

Granola can be vegan as long as all the ingredients are plant based. For this recipe swap the milk whey chocolate protein for a vegan protein powder, e.g pea protein.

What nutrients are in granola 

Granola is a great source of fibre and highly nutritious and can contain a range of macronutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamin E, iron, magnesium and zink.

How many calories are in chocolate granola 

There are 393 calories in this air fryer chocolate and hazelnut granola recipe per serving. 

Thank you so much for reading along. I hope you making your air fryer chocolate and hazelnut high protein granola.

If you try this recipe, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and star rating, you can find this at the bottom of the page and recipe card 

You can also share via social media. If you can take a photo and hashtag #prettydeliciouseats  — I would love to see your meals on Instagram, Pinterest,  Facebook ! 🙂

pinterest image granola

WANT MORE AIR FRYER MEALS? – TRY OUT THESE AMAZING RECIPES TOO! 

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chocolate granola in a bowl

Air Fryer Chocolate and Hazelnut High Protein Granola Recipe

  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 3
  • Cook Time: 12
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 Portions
Print Recipe

Description

This homemade air fryer chocolate granola recipe is so easy to make in just 15 minutes! Its the perfect wholesome breakfast or snack, as the granola is made with chocolate protein powder and delicous pieces of hazlenut, dried coconut, rolled oats and much more!

Ingredients

  • Rolled Oats – 3  x Cups /275g
  • Hazelnuts (Whole) –  ½ Cup / 55g
  • Flaked coconut shavings – ½ Cup / 25g
  • Dark Chocolate Chips – ½ Cup  / 100g
  • Chocolate Protein Powder – ½ Cup / 90g 
  • Coconut oil (Melted) – ½ cup / 100ml 
  • Vanilla extract –  2 x tablespoons 
  • Peanut butter – 1 x teaspoon
  • Maple syrup –  ½ cup / 120ml

Instructions

  1. Add the oats, hazelnuts & chocolate protein powder to a large bowl, then mix.
  2. In a smaller bowl whisk together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Once combined pour over the dry hazelnut, oats and protein powder mixture. Stir the mixture with a large spoon until combined. 
  3. Pour the granola mixture directly into your air fryer basket, no need to line the base. (it’s okay if some of the granola hits the bottom of the air fryer basket)
  4. Air fry for 6 minutes at 170°c / 340°f, then use a fork to separate and mix the granola mixture within the air fryer basket. Cook for a further 3 minutes and again break up the granola with a fork. Finally air fry for a further 3 minutes.
  5. Remove the granola from the air fryer by pouring over a grease proof / parchment paper lined oven tray. Once cooled sprinkle the chocolate chips and coconut flakes over the granola. Serve straight away with your choice of dairy/plant based milk or add to a yogurt or smoothie bowl!
  6. Store the remaining granola in an air tight jar, it will keep for 2-3 weeks, but I am sure you would have eaten it all by then! ☺

Notes

  • Don’t add the chocolate chips until the granola has cooled fully otherwise the chocolate will melt!
  • I prefer to use organic jumbo rolled oats for the best results in this recipe 
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Universal

Keywords: granola, air fryer, chocolate, protein, Hazelnut , breakfast, high protein

How to make homemade croutons in an Air fryer

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Making homemade air fryer croutons is so EASY! This crouton recipe is moreish, super tasty and only takes 4 minutes to air fry! Pair them with your favourite salad or soup!

air fryer in a bowl

What are croutons 

Croutons are small cubed pieces of crispy dried bread which have been re-baked or fried. Croutons can be plain or flavoured with oil, garlic, herbs, butter, cheese, bacon and various spice blends. They are crispy and crunchy, mostly paired with salads and soup.

Need some more recipe inspiration? – Try out these AMAZING recipes too! 🙂

  • ciabatta bread olive oil italian seasoning black pepper
  • croutons ingredients

Different types of seasoned air fryer croutons 

Croutons are so veritable when it comes to the different types of flavours you can achieve. You can either flavour the oil, add seasonings / spices, herbs, use a pre flavoured bread or add cheese or cured meats. Here are some croutons variations below;

  • Garlic croutons 
  • Garlic and parmesan croutons 
  • Crotons with bacon 
  • Italian croutons 
  • French onion soup croutons 
uncooked croutons in a bowl seasoned

How to make croutons with garlic bread

Making croutons with garlic bread is a great way to use up leftover pieces. Simply cut up into cubes and air fry for 4-5 minutes at 190 °c /375 °f. You can also bake in an oven or Sauté in a pan. You shouldn’t need to add oil to the bread as the garlic butter should be sufficient to help the croutons crisp up and provide an amazing garlic butter flavour!

How to make croutons shapes from bread 

To make croutons from scratch is pretty simple to do! All you need to do is slice bread into 1 inch or 1 cm cubes. The best type of bread for croutons is slightly dry/stale bread as the croutons will cook and crisp up quicker whilst cooking. More fresh and softer bread will take longer to dry out whilst cooking. In this recipe I’ve used a ciabatta loaf. Ciabatta is an Italian white bread made from wheat flour, water, salt, yeast and olive oil. It has a great crispy exterior already and amazing flavour already enriched with olive oil. You can also use these other types of bread to make croutons;

  • Sourdough bread 
  • White sliced bread 
  • Panini bread
  • Low carb keto sliced bread 
  • Cornbread
  • Rye bread 
sliced ciabatta bread into little cubes

How to make homemade croutons in an air fryer

Making croutons in the air fryer is a quick and efficient. You save time compared to using a convention oven as there is no need to preheat! Here’s how you make them;

  1. Slice the ciabatta bread into 1 cm cubes and add to a large bowl. 
  2. Pour over olive oil, add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and mix. 
  3. Place the croutons into the air fryer, cook for 3-4 minutes at 190 °c /375 °f. Halfway through cooking turn shake the air fryer basket to rotate the majority of the croutons, so that they can cook on the other side as well. 
  4. Once cooked remove the croutons from the air fryer basket. 
  • cooked croutons in an air fryer basket

How to make croutons in the oven

If you don’t have an air fryer don’t worry as you can bake homemade croutons in the oven. Add cubed bread that has been seasoned and mixed with olive oil, to a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven for 6-7 minutes at 190 °c /375 °f. 

How to make croutons in a pan on your stovetop 

You can also make croutons without using an oven or an air fryer! Croutons can be toasted in a medium preheated shallow pan or cast iron skillet on a stove top / hob. They will take 6 minutes to cook once the pan is hot. Take care to flip the croutons pieces over whilst cooking to ensure they do not burn.

What are the benefits of an air fryer

Air frying is such a great way of cooking food! The popular small counter top electric air fryer convection oven, mimics the process of “frying food” without having to deep fry in oil! Here are some of the top benefits of cooking with an air fryer;

  • Healthier – Air frying is a much healthier alternative to deep or shallow frying food. Up to 80% less fat can be achieved in certain air fried meals by using this cooking method rather than frying conventionally in oil.
  • Even cooking – Because the fan in an air fryer circulates at a high speed within a small space, food tends to crisp up quicker and cook evenly throughout. 
  • Time efficient –  Although some air fryers have a pre heat setting, air fryers generally heat up very quickly. Due to their size, cook times are substantially lower compared to an oven, which can take up to 15 minutes to pre heat fully and come up to temperature.
  • Easy to use – Air fryers are very easy to use and are a great kitchen tool for cooks that might not be as confident in the kitchen.
  • Saves space – As air fryers are small and portable, they are great for people who may not have access to a fully functioning kitchen. For example a college student or someone who lives in a studio apartment where you may not have access to a full size oven. 
  • Versatility – Air fryers are probably the most versatile kitchen gadgets available. Not only can you air fry food, you can also bake, grill, toast, steam and roast ingredients in the air fryer.
golden air fried croutons in a bowl

What air fryer do I use?

I’ve tested quite a few air fryers and one of my favourites is the Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Air Fryer, 6 Quart/ 5.L. I love the size of this model and the large square shape air fryer basket, i find you can fit more food in air fryers shaped like this. The vortex air fryer comes with 4 built in smart programs in 1 appliance (air fry, roast, bake and reheat) so it’s super versatile! I especially love how easy the fryer basket is to clean as the drip tray on the base of the basket is removable. 

croutons in a glass jar

What to have croutons with 

You can use croutons in many dishes, here’s some ideas below;

  • Salad – Most commonly croutons are paired with salad, for example a Caesar salad. They add a great texture to a range of other salads too.
  • Soup – Croutons are great to add on top of soup for both texture and soaking up flavours. Slightly large shaped croutons are classically paired with French onion soup.
  • Bread crumbs – you can use up leftover croutons by making them into breadcrumbs. Simply add croutons to a food processor and blend until your desired crumb texture forms. You can then use  the bread crumbs for stuffing or even as a crispy crust to coat food with e.g. crispy chicken tenders . 
croutons on a chicken caesar salad

How long will homemade croutons last

Homemade croutons will last for up to two weeks. Once the croutons are fully cooked, place them into an air tight jar to ensure they stay fresh and crispy.

Can you freeze homemade croutons 

Homemade croutons are freezer friendly which is quite handy if you make a big batch. It’s best to store the croutons in a food bag before freezing. When you’re ready to use the croutons, add them straight into your air fryer basket or oven tray if baking and then cook for 7-8 minutes.

croutons in a glass jar

Frequently asked nutritional questions about croutons

How many calories in croutons

There are 82 calories per 1/2 cup in this air fryer recipe, a lot less than you will find if the croutons where deep or shallow fried. 

How many carbs in croutons 

Croutons are carb dense as they are made from bread which are naturally high in carbohydrates. There are 10.6 net carbs in this air fryer croutons recipe per serving. 

Are croutons vegan

Croutons can be completely plant based and vegan if vegan compliant bread is used. The remaining ingredients such as olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasonings are all vegan friendly.

Are croutons gluten free

Most croutons contain gluten as they are made from bread which contains wheat. To make gluten friendly croutons, swap the ciabatta bread for a gluten free approved sliced bread or crusty loaf/roll.

Are croutons keto

Croutons are not keto friendly due to the high net carbohydrate make up of most conventional sliced breads and loafs. A great alternative would be again to use a specialist bread which is keto compliant.There are alot of high protein & low net carb bread products currently on the market.

Thank you so much for reading along. I hope you making your Homemade Air Fryer Croutons.

If you try this recipe, I would be grateful if you could leave a review and star rating, you can find this at the bottom of the page and recipe card 

You can also share via social media. If you can take a photo and hashtag #prettydeliciouseats  — I would love to see your meals on Instagram, Pinterest,  Facebook ! 🙂

Homemade Easy Air Fryer Croutons Recipe pinterest image
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air fryer in a bowl

How to Make Homemade Air fryer Croutons

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Catherine
  • Prep Time: 3
  • Cook Time: 4
  • Total Time: 7 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Making homemade air fryer croutons is so EASY! This Ciabatta bread croutons recipe is moreish, super tasty flavoured with Italian seasoning and only takes 4 minutes to air fry! Pair with your favourite salad or soup! 

Ingredients

Scale
  • Ciabatta bread 200g
  • Olive oil 1/3 cup / 75ml
  • Italian seasoning 1 x teaspoon
  • Salt ¼ teaspoon
  • Black pepper ¼ teaspoon 

Instructions

  1. Slice the ciabatta bread into 1 cm cubes and add to a large bowl.
  2. Pour over the olive oil, add the Italian seasoning, salt & pepper then mix.
  3. Place the croutons into the air fryer, cook for 3-4 minutes at 190c /375 Fahrenheit. Halfway through cooking turn shake the air fryer basket to rotate the majority of the croutons, so that they can cook on the other side as well.  
  4. Once cooked remove the croutons from the air fryer basket. Serve on top of salad or store the croutons in an air tight jar once cooled completely.

Notes

Slightly stale bread works best if you are using regular sliced bread for this recipe as an alternative 

  • Category: Sides
  • Method: Air frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: air fryer, croutons, soup, salad, air fried, bread, easy, homemade